Date: Mon, 15 Sep 97 12:58:27 EST
From: "NGLTF"
Subject: EMBARGOED: NGLTF honors King Legacy
NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Mark Johnson, Media Director
mfjohnson@ngltf.org
202/332-6483 x3314
pager 1-800-757-6476
2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
http://www.ngltf.org
................................................
EMBARGOED UNTIL 6:45 PM, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1997
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NGLTF HONORS CORETTA SCOTT KING AND ONGOING LEGACY
OF FAIRNESS AND EQUALITY
WASHINGTON , DC -- September 15, 1997--- The National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force, (NGLTF) tonight honored Coretta Scott King
for her commitment to civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgendered people. NGLTF's Honoring Our Allies award is
annually presented to individuals and organizations who
demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to equality for gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.
"Mrs. King has stood shoulder to shoulder with us as we work
to envision and create a world based on social justice. She
embraces the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered
people as part of the continued legacy of Dr. King's brave work,"
said Kerry Lobel, executive director of NGLTF. "Her progressive
vision of peace and justice echoes around the world."
In her acceptance remarks Mrs. King said, "I accept this award
as a reaffirmation of my commitment to carry forward the unfinished
work of my husband, Martin Luther King, Jr. My husband understood
that all forms of discrimination and persecution were unjust and
unacceptable for a great democracy. He believed that none of us
could be free until all of us were free, that a person of
conscience had no alternative but to defend the human rights of
all people." She continued, "I want to reaffirm my determination
to secure the fullest protection of the law for all working people,
regardless of their sexual orientation...it is right, just, and
good for America."
Mrs. King also acknowledged the contributions gay men and lesbians
have historically made to the civil rights movement. "Many of these
courageous men and women were fighting for my freedom at a time when
they could find few voices for their own, and I will always remember
and honor their contributions," she said. "It has been encouraging
to see the growing participation of people of color in the leadership
ranks of the lesbian and gay freedom struggle, and I urge you to
continue making this movement a model of diversity."
Remarking on the criticism she receives for speaking out against
discrimination based on sexual orientation, Mrs. King said, "I still
hear from people who claim to be followers of Martin Luther King, Jr.,
but who think I should be silent about the human rights concerns of
gays and lesbians. All I can do is tell these folks that the civil
rights movement that I believe in thrives on unity and inclusion, not
division and exclusion." She continued, "All of us who oppose
discrimination and support equal rights should stand together to resist
every attempt to restrict civil rights in this country."
"The Right continues its attempts to pit people of color against
the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community," Lobel said.
"As we witnessed tonight, efforts to drive a wedge between us do
not work. We stand united in our efforts to move forward a progressive
agenda based on our shared values of justice, fairness and inclusion."
Coretta Scott King is the Founder and former Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for
Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, Georgia. The King Center is a
living memorial to what the human rights movement accomplished under
his leadership. Mrs. King has been a supporter of human rights, a
progressive activist and an ally of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgendered people for over 40 years.
-30-
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has worked to eliminate
prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgendered people at the local, state and national level
since its inception in 1973. As part of a broader social justice
movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a
world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression
and identity where all people may fully participate in society.
_________________________________________
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